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In GOP South, pushback against Obama climate rules

ATLANTA — In the Republican Southeast, critics are pushing back against President Barack Obama's plan to cut pollution from power plants.

Elected regulators, business interests and labor union officials said Tuesday in Atlanta that the Obama administration's plan to trim emissions could raise electricity prices, result in job losses and will not significantly curtail global carbon emissions.

Those comments came Tuesday as the EPA held public hearings about the plan in Atlanta, Denver and Washington. A two-day hearing in Pittsburgh starts Thursday.

Obama's plan would force a 30 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 from levels seen in 2005.

Supporters said Tuesday the benefits from reducing pollution-related illnesses and damage from global warming far outweigh the potential costs. The hearings will continue Wednesday.